More Food. Less Worry.

If you or your family needs support buying groceries, SNAP is for you.

Known in Washington as Basic Food, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Washingtonians by providing monthly cash benefits to buy groceries.

SNAP Facts: Things You Might Not Know

  • Your family can still receive SNAP on behalf of an eligible family member (such as a child or partner who is a US citizen), even if you are not eligible yourself.

    SNAP is not considered in a "public charge" test and will not impact your immigration status. Applying for or receiving SNAP will NOT affect your ability to remain in the United States, get a Green Card, or become a U.S. Citizen.

    Don’t qualify for SNAP because of your immigration status? In Washington, legal permanent residents who meet all other Basic Food requirements can still receive money for groceries through the State Food Assistance Program (FAP). Learn more here.

  • Receiving SNAP for your family does not mean less money for anyone else! SNAP is not a fixed pot of funding that can run out. As a taxpayer, you have already contributed to this program and are therefore entitled to its benefits. The U.S. government is required to provide SNAP benefits to any household that is eligible, and there is no cap on the number of people who can participate. Better yet, every SNAP dollar you spend helps grow the economy!

  • Most people receiving SNAP are employed. Your eligibility is based on your overall income and expenses, including housing, utilities, and medical care. That said, being unemployed does not disqualify you from receiving SNAP. In fact, participating in SNAP can help you get back in the workforce through the Basic Food Education and Training Program (BFET).

  • Every household’s benefit amount will vary, ranging from a minimum of $23 to over $1000 per month depending on income and household size. Even if your benefit amount is low, SNAP participation can have a significant impact on your budget. Unused SNAP dollars roll over from month to month, so you can save them up as a cushion for emergencies or holidays. There are also several programs that can help you increase the amount of food you can buy with your SNAP dollars, such as the SNAP Market Match program. Finally, participating in SNAP can automatically qualify your family for other assistance programs, such as free school meals, SUN Bucks, and discounted internet, utilities, and museums. See a full list of additional benefits of SNAP and links to more programs here.

  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is called Basic Food in Washington. You may also hear about this program referred to as EBT or food stamps. These names all refer to the same program!

Eligibility for SNAP is primarily determined by income. That includes earned income from work, as well as other forms of income like social security, disability, child support and more. Resources such as a house, car or money in the bank do NOT count against eligibility.

You can be eligible for SNAP if you are working, receiving unemployment, attending school, or have a mixed-immigration status household.

Curious how much your monthly SNAP benefit will be? Use this Benefits Estimator Tool to find out:

Who is Eligible for SNAP?

Income Limits

Household Size Monthly Income
1 person $2,510
2 people $3,407
3 people $4,303
4 people $5,200
5 people $6,097
6 people $6,993

200% of the Federal Poverty Line

  • Only you can make the choice whether SNAP will be helpful for your family. Before you decide not to apply, however, consider:

    You may become eligible for a higher benefit amount in the future if you have a change in circumstances, like losing a job or a new addition to the family. If you’re already enrolled in SNAP, you’ll have to report this change, but you won’t have to reapply or interview. This can make it a lot easier to get the help you need without having to put together an application during already tough or busy times of life.

    Unused SNAP dollars roll over from month to month. This means you can save them up for emergencies or holidays when your bills may be higher.

    SNAP participation qualifies you for many additional programs. These include low-cost internet, free school meals, and SNAP Market Match, which doubles your money when you shop at farmer's markets. Learn more here.

Additional Eligibility Considerations

For some groups of people, there are extra eligibility requirements when applying for SNAP. If you are a college student, an adult without children (age 18-54), or an immigrant, learn more about your eligibility:

How To Apply

Step 1: Collect the information you’ll need.

The SNAP application will ask for information about the people in your household, which includes everyone with whom you buy, prepare, and share food. Before starting the application, be sure you have the following:

  • Proof of any household income from the last 30 days. This includes income earned from work, as well as other income sources like unemployment, social security, and child support.

  • Your household’s monthly expenses. This includes rent or mortgage payments, utilities, child support, and medical bills.

  • Names and demographic information for the people in your household. If your household has mixed immigration status, you can omit information for the family members who are not eligible for SNAP.

Step 2: Complete the application.

Option 1: Call the Family Food Hotline

The SNAP application can be confusing! By calling the Family Food Hotline, you will be connected to a specialist who is trained to help you through the application process. The hotline is open on Monday-Thursday from 8:00am-5:30pm, and Fridays from 8:00am-5:00pm

Option 2: Apply Online

If you do not need assistance with your SNAP application, you can apply online through the Washington Connections site. The application is available in several languages.

For a tutorial on how to use the application portal, click here.

Option 3: Apply In-Person

You can visit your local Community Service Office and apply for SNAP in person. To find a CSO office near you, follow the link below.

Step 3: Call DSHS for an interview.

After you apply for SNAP, you will complete a Basic Food interview with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). During this interview, DSHS will explain the purpose and rules of SNAP, clarify the information on your application, and ask for proof of your household’s information.

You can complete this interview in person at a CSO office, or you can call DSHS at 877-501-2233, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. When calling, select your language, then press 1 to indicate you have applied for public assistance.

You must do this within 30 days of your application.

Please note: DSHS will not call you.

Once your application for SNAP is approved, you will receive an EBT card that can be used like a debit card to purchase groceries at approved stores and markets. Each month, your benefits will be automatically loaded into your account. Any unused benefits roll over to the next month. For more details about how your card works, see the DSHS page on EBT cards.

Nearly all grocery stores in Washington accept SNAP benefits as a form of payment. You can also use your SNAP dollars to purchase groceries online and at farmer’s markets, where your money can also be doubled to help you buy more fruits and vegetables!

Did you know? SNAP can qualify you for many additional programs that can help you save, including additional food resources, discounted or free museum tickets, and low-cost internet.

Step 4: Use your benefits!

Partner Resources

Promote SNAP. Help families in your community get money for food. Download digital outreach materials or request physical materials.

Get additional help. Find all of our SNAP resources for partners here.

Last updated: December 2, 2024